Water retention, also known as edema, happens when excess fluids accumulate in the body’s tissues, including the skin. Often, it causes swelling in your hands, ankles, feet, and legs.

The good news is that you can control this health condition, and one of the ways is to eat foods that help counteract it.

What Is Water Retention?

Water retention is when there is excessive accumulation of fluids in your body’s tissues. The condition may happen due to reasons such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pregnancy, and an excess intake of salty foods.

Typically, gaining weight that’s not due to an increase in body fat can be a sign of water retention. Such weight gain is usually temporary and fluctuates over a short period, such as a day or a few days.

Foods that Help Combat Water Retention

Here are some foods that can come in handy if you want to win the battle against water retention:.

Watermelon

Watermelon is not only delicious, but it is also an excellent fruit to eat when you are battling water retention. It has antioxidant properties and is a great source of vitamin C.

Watermelon also works as a natural diuretic, which means that it can help get rid of excess fluids in your body.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are rich in water and low in calories. They also have antioxidant properties and are good for heart health because they help lower blood pressure. Cucumbers can act as a natural diuretic and help flush out excess fluid from your body.

Ginger

Ginger is a versatile spice that can be eaten in different forms, including dried, fresh, or powdered form. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and it is a natural diuretic.

When consumed in moderation, ginger can help reduce water retention by getting rid of excess fluid.

Lemon

Lemons are a great choice when trying to reduce water retention in the body. They have diuretic properties that help get rid of excess fluids that contribute to bloating and swelling. You can also add lemon juice to your drinking water.

Bananas

Bananas are a healthy snack that can help combat water retention. They are loaded with potassium which can help regulate your body’s fluid balance, reducing the chances of you accumulating excess fluids.

Asparagus

Asparagus is a natural diuretic and can help your body eliminate excess fluids through your urine. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and potassium.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are both low in calories and can help keep our bodies hydrated. They contain around 95% water and can combat water retention as they are naturally diuretic and can help get rid of excess fluids from your body.

Parsley

Parsley also has diuretic properties. It is rich in vitamins A and C and has antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in the body.

People add parsley to their dishes as a garnish or use it as an ingredient in a salad or a smoothie.

Celery

Celery is a vegetable that’s low in calories, making it a great addition to your diet. It can also help reduce inflammation, which contributes to water retention.

Celery is also a natural diuretic that can aid in getting rid of excess fluids from your body.

Apples

Apples are another healthy snack that can help combat water retention. They contain high levels of vitamins and are natural diuretics.

Apples can also help regulate our blood sugar levels and can prevent cravings for salty foods that might exacerbate water retention.

Conclusion

Water retention is a common health condition that can lead to discomfort and might affect the quality of life. The good news is that there are foods that can help counteract water retention, including watermelon, cucumbers, ginger, lemons and bananas.

Other foods that can help include tomatoes, parsley, celery, and apples. Incorporating these foods in your diet can help combat water retention and improve your health in the process.